Shakhtar Donetsk head coach Igor Jovicevich told what he expects from his team's match against the German RB Leipzig in the final 6th round of the Champions League group stage, which will be held today in Warsaw.
Igor Yovichevich. Photo — shakhtar.com“Three and a half months ago, no one gave even two percent to the fact that before the 6th round the Europa League would already be in our pocket and we would fight for the 1/8 finals of the Champions League. We are building a team, and there is a reserve for a good project. It inspires and gives the spirit that in every game and with any opponent we can win.
I have said more than once that the first match against Leipzig was a turning point for our team. It was the first European Cup match, and we didn't know how good we were, the opponent didn't know it either. With each game, we added confidence, maneuvers, resources, system, the style of play was always preserved. We will try to demonstrate our spirit in the upcoming match in order to make the impossible possible.
There has never been such a match in our career when we would have had the opportunity to reach the 1/8 finals of the Champions League. Personally, I have not yet felt such intensity, and everything is the same, except for some football players. This ambition, and sometimes the uncertainty of the moment, drives you forward. We have done a lot of work and are no longer satisfied with what we have. There are 95 minutes left with a very good team that scored 16 points out of 18 in the last matches, which shows good and intense football, beating Real Madrid and opponents in the Bundesliga.
So there will be a super challenge for us on Wednesday. In football, the favorites do not always win, but it is a fact that we have a lot of injuries. Shved and Zubkov are important players in our team and our game model. But, I think, their loss is worthy and at the maximum level will be replaced by others. I believe in the team and in a positive result," Jovićević said at the pre-match press conference.
